Planned Parenthood Donations Jump in Northern New England

An official with the Planned Parenthood Chapter that serves Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine says the organization received a large boost in donations following the presidential election.

Planned Parenthood of Northern New England's Jill Krowinski, the outgoing vice president of education and Vermont community affairs, says about 600 donations were given in honor of Vice President-elect Mike Pence.

The northern New England donations follow a national trend since the election of tens of thousands of donations to Planned Parenthood in Pence's name. As a congressman and governor of Indiana, Pence has advocated for eliminating the group's federal funding and restricting abortion rights.

Krowinski tells Vermont Public Radio the increase may be a record for the organization. Krowinski didn't say how much the organization has raised in total post-election.

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The political arm of Planned Parenthood of Northern New England waded into the Democratic gubernatorial primary Tuesday morning when it endorsed Executive Councilor Colin Van Ostern. The move has exposed a disagreement among abortion rights activists over the role they should play in this election.

In a room full of pink t-shirts and balloons, Cecile Richards told students at UNH on Wednesday that Democrat Maggie Hassan will be a strong voice for women’s reproductive rights if elected to the Senate. She also criticized her opponent, Republican incumbent Kelly Ayotte, for her votes opposing Planned Parenthood.

Richards also laughed off a recent Ayotte campaign tactic of handing out free condoms to younger voters.

“I’m sorry," she said, "handing out condoms on a college campus does not mean you are actually providing health care to folks in this state.”

Republican gubernatorial candidate Chris Sununu continues to draw fire from his rivals. During a debate on WGIR radio Wednesday morning, Republican Frank Edelblut said Sununu's Executive Council vote to fund Planned Parenthood was not conservative. Sununu defended his vote.